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Tsavo West National Park divides opinion among travelers: some love its superb scenery and sometimes fantastic wildlife, while others find it a little frustrating when it comes to seeing animals. They’re both right: the park is home to the Big Five, but wildlife viewing can be a bit slow. Highlights include recent lava flows and lush Mzima Springs with its close-up views of hippos.
Scenery
Tsavo West has a rugged, arid beauty, with varied landscapes of dense woodlands, rocky outcrops, and volcanic hills and lava flows. The jagged Ngulia Hills runs like a spine through the park. Underpinning everything here is the park’s black volcanic soil and Tsavo’s famous red dust. A small number of rivers (most seasonal, some year-round) meander through the park, but Mzima Springs is like a verdant oasis.
Best Time
Tsavo West National Park is best visited in the dry months from June to October and January to February. Although the park can be visited at any time of year, during the peaks of the Wet season (April and November) animals tend to spread out due to the abundance of water and food, and the vegetation can be quite dense.
June to October –Dry Season
November to May –Wet Season
Activities
Like most Kenyan parks, the main activities in Tsavo West are guided game drives where you can look for wildlife and enjoy bird watching. Apart from within the grounds of your accommodation, the only place where you’re allowed outside your vehicle is at Mzima Springs, where there is a short walking track.
From: $152 to $651 pp/day
From: June to October and January to February (Best for general wildlife viewing; little rainfall)
From: December to March and July to October (Busy)
From: 7,065km² / 2,728mi²
Wildlife densities in Tsavo West National Park aren’t that great, but everything is there – you just need to be patient. There are many elephants, and they are often covered in red dust, giving them an eerie appearance. The park is also known for its maneless lions and big herds of buffalo. Black rhinos have been on the comeback in Tsavo West since the 1980s when they were close to being locally extinct.
Wildlife Highlights
Tsavo West is one of the best places to see the skittish lesser kudu. The rocky terrain is also a good habitat to look for klipspringers, which are often seen in pairs. Watch also for antelope that thrive in arid conditions, including the much localized fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk. Sightings of leopards are also possible. The drive-through rhino sanctuary increases your chances of spotting the difficult-to-find black rhino.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The best wildlife viewing in Tsavo West is in the Dry season (June to October), although the park is worth a visit at any time of year. During the Dry season, the vegetation is minimal and animals tend to hang around the few available water sources. The dry spell from January to February, between the short and long rains, is also a great time for wildlife viewing.
Tsavo West National Park has a climate characterized by hot and dry conditions. During the day, expect temperatures around 28°C/82°F, while 18°C/64°F is typical at night. Cool mornings mean warm clothing is a good idea for early game drives. Rainfall peaks in April and November.
Dry Season –June to October
The coolest months are full of sunshine and have very little rain. Warm clothing is required for open-vehicle game drives.
Wet Season –November to May
The short rains followed by the long rains comprise the Wet season. In between these two wetter periods is a drier stretch that falls in the months of January and February.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is 15km/9 mi southeast of Nairobi, the country's largest transport hub. Kenya’s second international airport, Moi International Airport (MBA), is 9km/6 mi west of Mombasa.
Tsavo West National Park is in southeast Kenya, 232km/144 mi from Nairobi and 210km/130 mi from Mombasa. Driving to the reserve from Nairobi (4 to 6 hours*), Mombasa (4 to 5 hours*) or another park is a good option depending on your plans.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Flights
Charter flights between parks are normally organized in advance by tour operators as part of your tour package. Scheduled domestic flights from Nairobi leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4 mi south of the city. Book domestic flights with the following airlines:
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passports, visas, COVID-19, and other entry requirements.
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